Sam Smith portrait unveiled at London gallery

A stunning new portrait of the talented singer Sam Smith has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London. This remarkable artwork is created by the French artistic duo Pierre Commoy and Gilles Blanchard, who are collectively known as Pierre et Gilles. The painting is titled Gloria, which shares its name with Sam's latest album released in 2023. Sam Smith expressed their feelings about the unveiling by stating that it was 'an honour' to have their portrait displayed in such a prestigious gallery. In the artwork, Sam is depicted in a dreamlike setting, playing a harp while adorned with angel wings designed by the renowned fashion designer JW Anderson. Pierre et Gilles are well-known for their unique approach to art, blending painting and photography to create striking images of various celebrities, including icons like Kylie Minogue, Madonna, and Naomi Campbell. This new portrait will be featured in the gallery's newly established History Makers section, which also includes portraits of other notable figures such as singer Harry Styles, Pride In London co-founder Peter Tatchell, and race campaigner Baroness Doreen Lawrence. The National Portrait Gallery had been closed for three years for renovations, and the reopening of this space has been highly anticipated. Sam Smith shared their admiration for the work of Pierre et Gilles, saying, 'I have admired the beautiful work of Pierre et Gilles for years. Their incredible portraits of icons like Jean Paul Gaultier and Marc Almond are truly iconic, and to sit for them was a dream come true. ' The singer was thrilled when the National Portrait Gallery reached out to ask if they could borrow the painting for display. Sam emphasized the importance of supporting the arts and expressed their pride in being part of the new History Makers section. Sam Smith, who identifies with the pronoun 'they,' first gained fame in 2012 with the hit song Latch by Disclosure and later with Naughty Boy's 2013 track La La La. Since then, they have achieved remarkable success, including eight number one singles and three number one albums in the UK, with their latest album released in 2023. The portrait was created in 2023, beginning with a photograph of Sam posing, which was then hand-painted and embellished by the artists. The National Portrait Gallery describes the artwork as a blend of 'reality, daily life, dreams, and fantasies. ' Clare Freestone, the curator of photography at the gallery, remarked that displaying this portrait is an 'amazing moment for Sam's fans to connect on a deeper level with the portrait. ' She highlighted that this exhibition provides a unique opportunity for visitors to view a cherished artwork that is borrowed from the singer's personal collection and is being showcased for the first time in a public art gallery.